Swinging turntable for automatic phonographs



May 3% WW c. R. HART SWINGING TURNTABLE FOR AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPHS 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 9, 1948 mm mim WWZA may 3% 195@ c, T2,5@9,2.29

SWINGING TURNTABLE FOR AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPHS Filed July 9, 1948 2Sheets-Sheet 2 125? WEWE V Patented May 30, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE SWINGING TURNTABLE FOR AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPHS of IllinoisApplication July 9, 1948, Serial No. 37,862

13 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a phonograph intended to play both sides of aseries of records and has for its principal object to provide a smallcompact phonograph of this type which is simple to manufacture andsimple in operation.

The present invention relates to the type of phonograph described andclaimed in Patents Nos. 2,506,925 and 2,506,926 issued May 9, 1950, onapplications of Carl G. Johnson. This phonograph comprises a mechanismin which records are dropped seriatim in conventional manner. Thedropped record is received on a small turntable which is carried by apivoted arm. The turntable is sufiiciently small so that the recordinggrooves on the underside of the record are exposed so that the undersideof the record can be played, the turntable being rotated in suitabledirection, which is a counterclockwise direction as viewed from above.The upper side of the record can be played on the small turntable or therecord can be dropped from the small turntable onto a lower turntableand from the upper side of the record may be played, the record beingrotated in the opposite or clockwise direction as viewed from above. isprovided with an arcuate slot so that it may move into and out ofcoaxial relation with the spindle. After the record has been played onthe small turntable, the arm which carries the small turntable swingsoutwardly allowing the record to drop on the spindle. Means are providedto position the small turntable in a definite position on its arm so asto locate the slot for proper rd movement away from the spindle. One..-e objects of the present invention is to provide improved means toobtain this result. Further, when the small turntable is moved out, itmust be held in this definite position so that the spindle passes freelythrough the slot when the arm is returned to its normal position. Afurther object of this invention is to provide such a means.

Other objects, advantages and capabilities of my invention will appearfrom the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof,

The small turntable taken in conjunction with the accompanying 2turntable as it is being moved away from the spindle;

Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation showing elements associated with thespindle and small turntable;

Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation through the small turntable and theelement which drives it; and

Fig. '7 is a similar view showing the small turntable with its drivedisconnected.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, thephonograph comprises a base Ill, on which all the mechanism issupported. A post H is rigidly carried by the frame 12 supported on thebase I0 and projects upwardly through the base. An extension is ismounted on the upper end of the spindle H and is held against rotationby a pin M which seats in a recess at the upper end of the post H, asbest shown in Fig. 6. The extension 13 is provided with a recordsupporting step l5 for the support of a stack of records is which isalso supported by a lateral support ll in well-known manner. A

pusher element to on the support H is actuated during each alternaterecord changing cycle so that the lowermost record is displaced off thesupport ll so that-this record drops down along the spindle onto thesmall turntable 35 which is then located in coaxial relation to thespindle, as shown in Fig. 1.

The post H extends through sleeve 2!] which is vertically displaceableon the post Ill. The sleeve '20 is provided with an enlarged base 2!which rests upon a block 22 also slidably mounted on the post I I. Theblock 22 carries opposite pins 23 which are received in openings in theforked ends of a lever 25 which is pivoted at 25. When the lever 24 isswung in the clockwise direction as viewed in Figs. 2 and 5, the sleeve20 is moved upwardly, and when the lever 24 is swung in the oppositedirection, the sleeve 20 is moved downwardly.

At an intermediate position, the sleeve '20 carries a friction clutchelement 26 which is arranged to engage a corresponding clutch element21. When the sleeve 20 is moved downwardly by the lever 24, these clutchelements are disengaged. The clutch element 21 is provided on the hub ofa drive wheel 28. The drive wheel 28 is provided with a peripheralflange which is engaged by a drivin pinion 29 so that the drive wheel 28may be driven at turntable speed in either direction. The drive wheel 28is rotatably supported on a bearing 30 carried by the base l0 and thesleeve 20 extends through its hub in free sliding fashion.

Below the clutch element 26, the sleeve 20 is provided with an enlargedportion 3| which is provided with an elongated vertical slot 32. A latch33, pivotally mounted at 3% is arranged to enter the lowermost end ofthe slot 32 as shown in Fig. 5. When the sleeve 26 is being driven andthe latch 33 is actuated, it enters the lowermost end of the slot 32 andarrests the sleeve 23 in a definite position. When this occurs, theclutchelements 26 and 2? slip relatively, the drive of the wheel 28continuing to complete the record changing cycle. The lever 2d isactuated so as to move the sleeve 26 downwardly, disengaging the clutchelements 26 and 2?.

The small turntable 35 is freely carried by an arm 36 which is pivotallymounted at 3? for horizontal movement. The diameter of the smallturntable is sufiiciently small so that the recording grooves on arecord supported on the small turntable are exposed for playing by anupwardly directed stylus 38 carried by a player arm structure 39. Theplayer arm structure also provides a' downwardly directed stylus 45} forplaying the upper side of a record supported on the small turntable '35;as shown in Fig. 2. In the embodiment illustrated, the player armstructure 39 comprises two arms which are located, one on each side ofthe position of a record being played. To play the topside of a record,the drive wheel 28 is driven in. the appropriate direction and theplayer arm structure 39 is rocked so as to bring the stylus 43 intoengagement with the topside of the record. When the underside of arecord is being played, the drive wheel 28 is driven in the oppositedirection and player arm structure 39 is rocked so as 'to bring thestylus 33 into engagement with the underside of the record. The smallturntable 35 is mounted on the arm 36 at a distance from the verticalpivot 31' by a distance so that'the small turntable can be brought intocoaxial relation with the post I i, by swinging movement of the arm 33.The small turntable '35 is provided with a slot ll which extends fromthe periphery of the small turntable inwardly through its hub into itscentral opening. The ring-like supporting element $2 on thearm 35 isalso provided with a slot 43 which can be brought into alignment withthe slot 4| .to provide for the passage of the spindle elements as thesmall'turntable is moved inwardly and outwardly. The position oi thespindle ele ments and the slots ii and 43 during inward or outwardmovement of the small turntable, is shown in Fig. i. Th upper end of thesleeve 23 into and out of the central is arranged to opening of theturntable hub, as shown in Figs.

6 and 7. A projection 41% near the upper end of the bore of the smallturntable 35 is arranged 20 islbrought into rotation so that theprojection 44 'drops into the recess d5, thus establishing drivingrelation for the small turntable 35. When 'the small turntable is beingdriven, it is col.- -pletely"clear of the arm 35 as shown in Fig. 6. Itis to be noted that inthe driving position as shown in'Fig. 6, the uppersurface of the turntable 35 is located slightly below the lower end ofthe extension 13 so that a record on the turn- .table is centered byengagement of its central hole with the lower end of the extension 113.It is to be note'd'that the engagement of the projection 44 with therecess 45, establishes a definite --rectionas viewed from above.

relation between the angular position or" the turntable and the angularposition of the sleeve Zii. Consequently, when the latch 33 isreleasedand enters the slot 32, the turntable B5 is arrested in a definiteangular position. This definite angular positionis shown in Fig. 4, andin that position the slots 45 and d3 are in alignment and the slot 5! islocated in concentric relation to the vertical pivot 37. Consequently,the turntable '35 is conditioned for free outward swinging movement ofthe arm 35 to remove the turntable away from the spindle elements. Thisdefinite relation between the small turntable and the arm 35 should bemaintained while the arm 3 3 is in its outward position so that the slot4! is properly positioned to receive and permit passage of the spindleelements as the arm 33 is swung inwardly. T0 attain this result, Iprovide a lock between the arm 36 and the turntable 35. This lockcomprises an arcuate lever which is pivotally mounted on the undersideof the turntable35 at A l. 'One or more supports id-mounted on theunderside of the turntable holds the lever 5 close to the underside ofthe turntable. The free ends of the lever d! are located adjacent theslot 4! and they are spaced in the radial direction as best seen inFigs. 3 and 4. When the turntable 35 is in playing position, as shown inFig. 3, the outer end of the lever 36 is located across the slot 4!. Asthe arm as is swung outwardly, the post ll engages 'an inwardly directedcam surface $9 on the outer end ofthe lever and-this lever isconsequently swung'in a counterclockwise direction as viewed from above,moving the outer end of the lever out of the slot 4| and bringing theinner end of the lever across the slot. The lever 55 carries a detent 5bwhich registers with a corresponding-opening in a-fiange 5| carried bythe ring-like portion ,2 ofthe arm 36 when the turntable 335 is in thedefinite position relative to the arm discussed above. As the arm 36swings outwardly, the counterclockwise movement of the lever dt'bringsthe detent 59 into the opening in the flange 5!, latching the turntablein said definite position relative to the arm 36. As the arm this againmoved inwardly, the'post H is moved relatively through slot Al andengages the outwardly directed cam surface 52 on the inner end of thelever at so that this lever is swung in the clockwise direction asviewed from above or in the counterclockwise direction as viewed in'Fig. 4, which is an inverted plan, and the detent is moved out of theopening in the flange iii, the inner end of the lever 45 being moved out.of the slot 4| and the outer end of the lever 46 being brought acrossthe slot 4!.

The driving pinion 29 may be driven in either direction by areversiblemotor 53 controlled by .a reversing switch 54 and an on andoff switch 55.

The'operation is as follows: A stack of records is mounted on thelateral support I! and on the 'step'lfi with the upper end of theextension l3 extending through the center holes of the records of thestack in well-known manner.

The switch 55- is closed and the switch 54 is post tioned to drive theturntable in the clockwise di- The arm 36 is swung inwardly into coaxialrelation with the post H. When the arm 35 is out, the turntable islocked in its definite position on the arm 35 *by the lever 46. As thearm 36 moves inwardly,

the post' H engages the cam surface 52 and swings the lever Alt intounlocking position. The inner end of the lever 46is displaced from theslot 4| and the outer end of the lever 46 is moved 5 into the slot 4| asshown in Fig. 3. The latch 33 is moved to unlatched position. The lever24 is actuated to displace the sleeve 20 upwardly, bringing the clutchelements 26 and 2'! into engagement so that the sprindle 20 is driven inthe clockwise direction as viewed from above. The elevation of thesleeve 20 and its rotation brings the projection 44 into the recess 45so that turntable 35 is driven in the clockwise direction as viewed fromabove. The turntable 35 is elecated slightly so that it is completelyclear of the arm 36 as best seen in Fig. 6. The pusher element 38 is nowactuated so that the lowermost record drops down the spindle extensionI3 and seats on the small turntable 35. The player arm structure 39 ismoved inwardly and downwardly so as to engage the upper surface of therecord at initial playing position. The upper side of the record is thusreproduced. At the end of the playing of the upper side of the record,the player arm structure 39 is swung upwardly slightly and is swungoutwardly to initial playing position and it is then swung upwardly sothat the stylus 39 engages the underside of the record at initialplaying position. The switch 54 is moved to reversing position so thatthe drive of the drive element 23 is reversed and the turntable isrotated in counterclockwise direction as viewed from above. Theunderside of the record is thus reproduced. After the underside of therecord is reproduced, the player arm is moved outwardly clear of therecord and the latch 33 is released, arresting the sleeve 20 and theturntable 35 in its definite position relative to the arm 36. The arm 24is actuated so that the sleeve 20 descends, disengaging the clutchelements 28 and 21 and clearing the lower end of the boss of theturntable 35 as shown in Fig. '7. The arm 33 is then swung outwardly, asit is free to do, owing to the location of the slot 4| in its definiteposition. The played record is retained on the spindle elements andafter the small turntable is moved out clear of the record, the playedrecord drops down the spindle elements onto the base Ill. The

upper end of the sleeve 29 is chamfered so that the record is properlyguided downwardly over the sleeve 20. As the arm 36 moves outwardly, thepost H engages the cam surface 49 and swings the lever 45 into turntablelocking position. The outer end of the lever 46 is displaced from theslot 4! and the inner end of the lever 46 is moved into position acrossthe slot. Consequently, the turntable is locked on the arm 36 in itsdefinite position for return into coaxial relation to the spindleelements. repeated indefinitely to play both sides of each record of thestack.

Although the invention has been described in connection with thespecific details of a preferred embodiment thereof, it must beunderstood that such details are not intended to be limitative of theinvention, except insofar as set forth in the accompanying claims.

Having thus described my invention, I declare that what I claim is:

1. In a phonograph, in combination, a record receiving spindlestructure, supporting means mounted adjacent said spindle structure formovement in a path, a record supporting turntable carried by saidsupporting means, said turntable being provided with a slot extendingsubstantially to its centerysaid slot embracing said spindle structurewhen said supporting means is moved in said path, said spindle structureincluding a driven element, complementary The operation is separateengaging formations on said driven element and turntable whereby theturntable is driven, and a latch for arresting said driven element in adefinite position thereby locating said turntable in a definite positionrelative to said supporting means, in which its slot is positioned forthe passage of the spindle structure when the supporting means is movedin its path.

2. In a phonograph, in combination, a record receiving spindlestructure, supporting means mounted adjacent said spindle structure formovement in a path, a record supporting turntable carried by saidsupporting means, said turntable being provided with a slot extendingsubstantially to its center, said slot embracing said spindle structurewhen said supporting means is moved in said path, said spindle structureincluding a driven sleeve, complementary separable engaging formationson said sleeve and turntable whereby the turntable is driven, and alatch for arresting said sleeve in a definite position thereby locatingsaid turntable in a definite position relative to said supporting means,in which its slot is positioned for the passage of the spindle structurewhen the supporting means is moved in its path.

3. In a phonograph, in combination, a record receiving spindlestructure, supporting means mounted adjacent said spindle structure formovement in a path, a record supporting turntable carried by saidsupporting means, said turntable being provided with a slot extendingsubstantially to its center, said slot embracing said spindle structurewhen said supporting means is moved in said path, said spindle structureincluding a driven sleeve, complementary separable engaging formationson said sleeve and turntable whereby the turntable is driven, means forrelatively moving said sleeve and turntable in their axial direction toengage and disengage said formations, and a latch for arresting saidsleeve in a definite position thereby locating said turntable in adefinite position relative to said supporting means, in which its slotis positioned for the passage of the spindle structure when thesupporting means is moved in its path.

4. In a phonograph, in combination, :a record receiving spindlestructure, supporting means mounted adjacent said spindle structure formovement in a path, a record supporting turntable carried by saidsupporting means, said turn table being provided with a slot extendingsubstantially to its center, said slot embracing said spindle structurewhen said supporting means is moved in said path, said spindle structureincluding a driven sleeve, complementary separable engaging formationson said sleeve and turntable whereby the turntable is driven, means formoving said sleeve upwardly and downwardly in its axial direction toengage and disengage said formations, and a latch for arresting saidsleeve in a definite position thereby locating said turntable in adefinite position relative to said supporting means, in which its slotis positioned for the passage of the spindle structure when thesupporting means is moved in its path.

5. In a phonograph, in combination, a record receiving spindlestructure, supporting means mounted adjacent said spindle structure formovement in a path, a record supporting turntable carried by saidsupporting means, said turntable being provided with a, slot extendingsubstantially to its center, said slot embracing said spindle structurewhen said supporting means is moved in said path, a latch arranged tohold said structure therethrough,

turntable in a definite position on said supporting means in which thepath of the slot registers with the spindle structure, and a movable element operatively connected to said latch and located in said slot whenthe turntable is adjacent the spindle, said element being arranged toengage and to be actuated by the spindle structure as the turntable ismoved outwardly to lock said latch.

6. In a phonograph, in combination, a record A receiving spindlestructure, supporting means mounted adjacent said spindle structure formovement in a path, a record supporting turntable carried by saidsupporting means, said turntable being provided with a slot extendingsubstantially to its center, said slot embracing said. spindle structurewhen said supporting means is moved in said path, a latch arranged tohold said turntable in a definite position on said supporting means inwhich the path of the slot registers with the spindle structure, and amovable element operatively connected to said latch and located in saidslot when the turntable is away from the spindle, said element beingarranged to engage and to be actuated by the spindle structure as theturntable is moved inwardly to unlock said latch.

7. In a phonograph, in combination, a record receiving spindlestructure, supporting means mounted adjacent said spindle structure formovement in a path, a record supporting turntable carried by saidsupporting said turntable being provided with a slot extending substantially to its center, said slot embracing said spindle structurewhen said supporting means moved in said path, and a latch arranged tohold said turntable in a definite position on said supporting means inwhich the path of the slot registers with the spindle structure, saidlatch being arranged to be actuated by the spindle structure as theturntable is moved outwardly to lock said latch and to be actuated bythe spindle structure as the turntable is moved inwardly to unlock saidlatch.

8. In a phonograph, in combination, a record receiving spindlestructure, supporting means mounted adjacent said spindle for movementin a path, a small turntable carried by said supporting means andarranged to be brought into coaxial relation with said spindle structureand into a position laterally outwardl with respect to said spindlestructure by movements of the supporting member in its path, said smallturntable being provided with a slot which in one position or" theturntable relative to the supporting means permits said movements, beingin that position located for the passage of the spindle complementarylatch elements on said turntable and said supporting means for latchingsaid turntable in said position, and a pair of members operativelyassociated with one of said latch elements and movable into and out, ofsaid slot alternately, one of said pair of members being arranged to beengaged by said spindle structure as the turntable moves 011*- wardly tomove the associated latch element to latching position and the other ofsaid pair of members being arranged to be engaged by said spindlestructure as the turntable moves inwardly to move said associated latchelement to unlatched position.

9. In a phonograph, in combination, a record receiving spindlestructure, supporting means mounted adjacent said spindle for movementin a path, a small turntable carried by said supporting means andarranged to be brought into coaxial relation with said spindle structureand into a position laterally outwardly with respect to said spindlestructure by movements of the supporting member in its path, said smallturntable being provided with a slot which in one position of theturntable relative to the supporting means permits said movements, beingin that position located for the passage of the spindle structuretherethrough, complementary latch elements on said turntable and saidsupporting means for latching said turntable in said position, and agenerally C-shaped pivoted member carrying one of said latch elementsand comprising radially spaced cam-shaped ends movable alternatelyacross said slot when the turntable is in said position, one of saidends being arranged to be engaged by the spindle structure as theturntable is moved inwardly to unlatch the turntable and the other endbeing arranged to be engaged by the spindle structure as the turntableis moved outwardly to latch said turntable.

19. In a phonograph, in combination, a record receiving spindlestructure, supporting means mounted adjacent said spindle for movementin a path, a small turntable carried by said supporting means andarranged to be brought into coaxial relation with said spindle structureand into a position laterally outwardly with respect to said spindlestructure by movements of the supporting member in its path, said smallturntable being provided with slot which in one position of theturntable relative to the supporting means permits said movements beingin that position located for the passage of the spindle structuretherethrough, complementary latch elements on said turntable and saidsupporting means for latching said turntable in said position, and agenerally C-shaped member pivotally mounted on the underside of saidturntable carrying one of saidlatch elements and comprising cam-shapedends movable alternately across said slot when the turntable is in saidposition, said ends being displaced in the radial direction, the innerend being arranged to be engaged by the spindle structure as theturntable is moved inwardly swinging the C-s'haped member intounlatching position and moving the outer end into position across theslot, and the outer end being arranged to be engaged by the spindlestructure as the turntable is moved outwardly swinging the C-shapedstructure into latching position and locating the inner end across theslot.

11. In a phonograph, in combination, a record receiving spindlestructure including a driven sleeve, supporting means mounted adjacentsaid spindle structure for movement in a path, a record supportingturntable carried by said supporting means, said turntable beingprovided with a central opening and a slot extending from its peripheryinto said central opening, separable complementary engaging elements onsaid turntable and sleeve to effect the drive of said turntable by thesleeve and maintain the turntable in a definite position relative tosaid sleeve, an element for arresting said sleeve in a definite positionto locate said turntable in a definite position to locate the slot inposition to accommodate the spindle structure as the supporting means ismoved in its path to carry the turntable away from the spindlestructure, a latch for latching said turntable to said supportingmember, and a member engaged by said spindle structure as the supportingmember moves outwardly for moving said latch to latching position.

12. In a phonograph, in combination, a record receiving spindlestructure including a driven sleeve, supporting means mounted adjacentsaid spindle structure for movement in a path, a record supportingturntable carried by said supporting means, said turntable beingprovided with a central opening and a slot extending from its peripheryinto said central opening, separable complementary engaging elements onsaid turntable and sleeve to effect the drive of said turntable by thesleeve and maintain the turntable in a definite position relative tosaid sleeve, an element for arresting said sleeve in a definite position to locate said turntable in a definite position to locate the slotin position to accommodate the spindle structure as the supporting meansis moved in its path to carry the turntable away from the spindlestructure, a latch for latching said turntable to said supportingmember, and a member engaged by said spindle structure as the supportingmember moves inwardly for moving said latch to unlatching position.

13. In a phonograph, in combination, a record receiving spindlestructure including a driven sleeve, supporting means mounted adjacentsaid 10 spindle structure for movement in a path, a record su portingturntable carried by said supporting means, said turntable beingprovided with a central opening and a slot extending from its peripheryinto said central opening, separable complementary engaging elements onsaid turntable and sleeve to effect the drive of said turntable by thesleeve and maintain the turntable in a definite position relative tosaid sleeve, an element for arresting said sleeve in a definite positionto locate said turntable in a definite position to locate the slot inposition to accommodate the spindle structure as the supporting means ismoved in its path to carry the turntable away from the spindlestructure, a latch for latching said turntable to said supportingmember, a member engaged by said spindle structure as the supportingmember moves inwardly for moving said latch to unlatching position, anda member engjaged by said spindle structure as the supporting membermoves outwardly for moving said latch to latching position.

CARL R. HART.

No references cited.

